Endogenous TGF-β contributes to the induction of the EBV lytic cycle in two burkitt lymphoma cell lines

A low proportion of cells in the BL lines P3HR-1 and Akata enter spontaneously into the EBV lytic cycle, detectable by the expression of early antigens (EA). We found that both lines produce the active and inactive forms of TGFß. It was shown earlier that a larger number of cells can be induced to enter the lytic cycle by exposing P3HR-1 to phorbol esters and n-butyrate and the surface IgG-positive Akata cells to anti-IgG. We now show that the same treatments raise the level of active TGFß release. Exposure to anti-TGFß antibodies reduced EA induction by 75-85%. Our results indicate that induction of the viral productive cycle by the above-mentioned reagents is at least partly dependent on the activation of endogenous TGFß production. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Epilepsy in vacuolating megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts.

Vacuolating megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC) is a disorder characterised by acquired macrocephaly, developmental motor delay of varying degrees, slowly progressive cerebellar and pyramidal signs, and initially preserved intellectual function. More than 60% of the published cases had epileptic seizures. In this study, we analysed the seizures and EEG findings of nine patients with MLC. Six patients (66.6%) with moderate to severe neurological impairment had epilepsy, four with partial and two with generalised seizures. The EEG of five epileptic patients revealed epileptogenic foci over the temporal, frontal and parietal regions with variable predominance during waking and sleep. The facilitation of spike-and-wave paroxysms by eye closure, by intermittent photic stimulation and by hyperventilation were determined in four patients. Four patients also showed abnormalities in the background activity. In conclusion, we think that epilepsy is a significant component of MLC compared to the other leukodystrophies. The elucidation of the underlying molecular defect may explain the unusual pathogenetic relation between this leukoencephalopathy and the associated seizures.     

A new anatomic trait for identifying the mendosal suture in young children: the mendosal–lambdoidal angle

Purpose

Radiologic diagnosis of skull fractures in young children is difficult due to numerous accessory sutures. This is especially true around the occipital bone because it has more than one ossification center. Normal anatomic variants, such as the mendosal suture, may be misinterpreted as a skull fracture. We investigated the anatomic traits of the mendosal suture in young children.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 52 children, aged between 1 month and 4 years, who had undergone head computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstructions. We evaluated the presence or absence of the mendosal suture. If present, then we measured the length of the suture and the angle between the lambdoidal and mendosal suture lines.

Results

The presence of the mendosal suture was bilateral in 12 children and unilateral in 5 children. The mendosal suture had a mean length of 13.9 ± 3.4 mm on the right side and 11.2 ± 4 mm on the left side. The angle between the mendosal and lambdoidal sutures had a mean value of 54.2° ± 11° for the right side and 53.6° ± 13.9° for the left side. The 95 % confidence interval for the mean value of the angle had a lower and upper bounds of 48° and 60° on the right side and 46° and 61° on the left side, respectively.

Conclusions

The angle between mendosal and lambdoidal suture lines may help radiologists to identify the mendosal suture.

     

A mixed-type intermesenteric trunk as a major contributor to the ascending,transverse, and descending colons: a case report

Purpose

We present a case in which a mixed-type intermesenteric trunk was the major arterial supply for the ascending, transverse, and descending colons.

Methods

We dissected a cadaver of a man aged 74 years that was used for a routine abdominal dissection course of 2nd year medical students.

Results

We observed that a mixed-type intermesenteric trunk supplied the majority of the colon, originating from the inferior mesenteric artery. The vessel was non-tortuous and had a counter clockwise course. It gave branches that supply the marginal artery at the splenic and hepatic flexures and at the transverse colon and finally it anastomosed with the ileocolic artery at the ileocecal junction. Through the intermesenteric trunk, the inferior mesenteric artery supplied the descending, transverse, and ascending colons with contributions from the sigmoidal and ileocolic arteries.

Conclusions

The intermesenteric trunk is an important central connection between the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. It probably is an embryologic remnant that constituted a longitudinal anastomosis between both mesenteric arteries.

     

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genotypes in the Turkish population

One hundred eighty-seven healthy and unrelated volunteers from various regions of Turkey were selected for the study. Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction using commercial sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) kits. Gene frequencies of the Turkish population were determined by direct counting of the positive and negative loci. The genotype data is publicly available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database under the population name “Turkey KIR pop 3” number “3399”.     

Effect of QMix as final irrigation protocol on periapical healing after single-visit root canal treatment: A randomised controlled clinical trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate radiographic periapical repair after endodontic treatment using QMix or NaOCl irrigation in single-rooted teeth with apical periodontitis. In this randomised clinical trial, 60 patients were selected and randomised into two groups (n = 30). After instrumentation of root canals, QMix or NaOCl was used as a final irrigation and the canals obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. All the participants were recalled after 12 months and 15 patients were lost to the study so 45 patients were evaluated radiographically according to periapical index (PAI) scores. A significant decrease was seen in PAI scores after 1 year in all patients (p < 0.001). In the QMix and NaOCl group, absence or reduction of radiolucency was observed in 23 of 25 teeth (92%) and 20 of 20 teeth (100%), respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups according to the decrease in PAI score (p = 0.508). Root canal treatments with or without QMix irrigation contributed equally to periapical healing.     

Investigation of herpes simplex virus DNA in pityriasis rosea by polymerase chain reaction

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an acute, inflammatory disease of unknown cause. Clinical and experimental findings indicate an infectious etiology of PR. Our purpose is to examine the skin lesions and blood samples of PR patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of HSV type 1 and 2 DNA. METHODS: The lesional skin biopsies from 10 patients and blood samples from two randomized patients with clinically and histologically confirmed pityriasis rosea were examined by PCR. RESULTS: No HSV 1 and HSV 2 DNA was detected in the lesional biopsy and blood samples. CONCLUSIONS: We could not identify a relationship between HSV 1, HSV 2 and PR.     

Reduction Mammaplasty Using the Free-Nipple-Graft Vertical Technique for Severe Breast Hypertrophy: Improved Outcomes with the Superior Dermaglandular Flap

Background  

Management of severe mammary hypertrophy is a challenge. The limitations of most dermal pedicle techniques include insufficient breast projection with severe hypertrophy. The authors have designed a free-nipple-graft vertical technique with a superior demaglandular flap to provide acceptable breast projection and an attractive, smooth breast contour for patients with severe hypertrophy and gigantomastia who are not suitable for pedicle breast reduction techniques.     

COQ6 mutations in human patients produce nephrotic syndrome with sensorineural deafness

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a frequent cause of end-stage renal failure. Identification of single-gene causes of SRNS has generated some insights into its pathogenesis; however, additional genes and disease mechanisms remain obscure, and SRNS continues to be treatment refractory. Here we have identified 6 different mutations in coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis monooxygenase 6 (COQ6) in 13 individuals from 7 families by homozygosity mapping. Each mutation was linked to early-onset SRNS with sensorineural deafness. The deleterious effects of these human COQ6 mutations were validated by their lack of complementation in coq6-deficient yeast. Furthermore, knockdown of Coq6 in podocyte cell lines and coq6 in zebrafish embryos caused apoptosis that was partially reversed by coenzyme Q10 treatment. In rats, COQ6 was located within cell processes and the Golgi apparatus of renal glomerular podocytes and in stria vascularis cells of the inner ear, consistent with an oto-renal disease phenotype. These data suggest that coenzyme Q10-related forms of SRNS and hearing loss can be molecularly identified and potentially treated.